Fire devastates Milford home

A family of four and a dog escaped the two-alarm fire that destroyed their Oak Tree Drive home early Sunday morning, Milford police and fire officials reported.

By Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 8:04 AM

By Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 8:04 AM

MILFORD

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A family of four and a dog escaped the two-alarm fire that destroyed their Oak Tree Drive home early Sunday morning, Milford police and fire officials reported.

"When we pulled up, the whole front of the house was engulfed in fire," Milford Fire Lt. Paul DiAntonio said, "from side to side, and from bottom to top."

The police log lists several callers reporting heavy smoke and fire just before 6 a.m. on the front porch of the two-story 12 Oak Tree Drive. DiAntonio said that, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation, it began in the front of the house.

WCVB reported heroic action on the part of the family's father, saying he slid his family down stairs heavy with smoke, and ushered everyone outside.

Three adults and a child escaped the home safely, according to DiAntonio, who said everyone in the house made it out. The lieutenant was unable to recall how long it took firefighters to finally quell the flames, but said the scene wasn't cleared until 9:50 a.m. Sunday. While firefighters were able to rescue the family's dog, he said, their cat remains missing.

"It went right to the defensive attack," DiAntonio said, of firefigher's response upon arriving at the home, "which meant no firefighters were in the building, fighting from the inside."

Five surrounding towns responded to the blaze, DiAntonio confirmed - Hopkinton, Bellingham, Hopedale, and Franklin, with Ashland covering the Milford station. One engine remained on scene into the afternoon.

The homeowner alerted firefighters to a propane tank in the backyard, which DiAntonio confirmed was removed safely.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.

Alison McCall can be reached at 508-490-7459 or amccall@wickedlocal.com.